"EMBARRASSING" weaknesses in dealing with small-scale work on Wyre Forest's roads could be about to become a thing of the past.

A Worcestershire County Council review has found the concept of Highways Partnerships, like the group set up in 1998 as a one-stop shop for all Wyre Forest highways issues, to be "a good one".

Transport chief Jeff Romanis told the Shuttle/Times & News extra resources would be allocated to iron out some problems that have been identified by the review into the partnership.

This was created to bring county and district staff together under one roof.

He also held a meeting with Stephen Clee, county councillor for Chaddesley Corbett, after he slammed the Kidderminster-based group for "a continued lack of responsibility" towards complainants.

Mr Clee, who is a member of the forum of councillors which advises partnership staff at their monthly meetings, said it had been frequently criticised by parish councils and failed to address maintenance problems.

He also recommended partnership staff be seconded to other units to help them improve - or be replaced by an external contractor.

However, Mr Romanis said he had met Mr Clee and "cleared the air" over his grievances and that some outstanding problems had been referred to partnership manager Stuart Reynolds.

The partnership was recently the target of a stinging attack from Wyre Forest District Council leader Mike Oborski who described it as "less use than a childcare partnership with King Herod".

But Mr Romanis was confident things are set to improve.

He said: "We still believe the concept of highways partnerships is a good one.

"But we do recognise there are some weaknesses in dealing with small-scale works and the impact that has on public perception, as well as the embarrassment that can cause county councillors.

"We intend to allocate additional resources to sort that problem out."